Ground was broken Nov. 19 for an assisted living project at
Monroe County Care Center, Moore Ridge Road, north of
Woodsfield. From left are Carl Davis and Tim Price, county
commissioners; Bob Reed, SHARE, LLC; John Pyles, county
commission president; Kelley Hill, MCCC administrator; Rick
Hindman, Buckeye Hills/Area Agency on Aging; and Minister Jeff
Rich, Beallsville Church of Christ. Photo by Martha Ackerman

It’s been a long time coming, but
MonroeCountyCareCenter’s Assisted Living
is now becoming a reality. A groundbreaking ceremony was held
Nov. 19.

The project was made possible with the aid of a $250,000 grant
from the Ohio Department of Development State Appalachia Grant
Program. One of the primary goals of of the program is to
promote health care access across the region.

“I’m very pleased with everything,” said Kelley Hill, MCCC
administrator. “It took everyone to pull this all together.”

The new 10,745 square feet facility will house 15 assisted
living apartments consisting of eight one bedroom and seven
efficiency units, a central living room, country kitchen,
private dining area, beauty shop and laundry facilities.

“This project will help fulfill the need for affordable assisted
living services in Woodsfield and the surrounding areas,” said
Bob Reed, Share, LLC management consultants for the
MonroeCountyCareCenter. “The project is
the result of the commissioner’s response to requests from area
citizens. It has been brought to this stage through the
coordinated efforts of Commissioners John Pyles, Carl Davis and
Tim Price; Auditor Pandora Neuhart; Treasurer Judy Gramlich;
Prosecutor Lynn Riethmiller and an assorted team of consultants
including bond counsel Bricker-Eckler; bond underwriter RBC
Capital Read more in the Nov. 26 issue of the Monroe County
Beacon

He was man of ideas and a will to water and work those ideas
until they blossomed.

As Woodsfield Village Administrator, he was a man who looked
ahead and planned for the future needs of his hometown.

Jeff Woodell would have begun his third year as village
administrator on Dec. 3.

His life ended on Friday, Nov. 20. He was 51.

During the two years that Woodell was village administrator,
Woodsfield advanced in many areas. His top three priorities when
taking over in 2007 were to go forward with the purchase of
Rubel Lake, which had been stalled in bureaucracy, seek funding
to fix water problems and address television cable complaints.
RubelLake was purchased with a
two percent loan. It was the first step in resolving the problem
of low water reserves, a problem the EPA had mandated be
addressed since 1952. Recently, a new waterline extension was
completed from the lake to the village. Woodell obtained two
grants for the project, one for $448,900 and another for
$250,000. The lake now gives the village a 498-day supply of raw
water.

He also brought in $400,000 in grants and a zero percent loan of
$156,000 for a carbon filtration project. This project, along
with a sludge removal project, makes Woodsfield’s water supply
one of the finest in the state. Woodell obtained over $334,000
in grant monies and nearly $223,000 in a no-interest loan for
the sludge plant.

Woodell was instrumental in helping the village separate the
storm water from the sewer drains. Waterline repair and
replacement has been ongoing. Replacement of a main waterline
was completed on Eastern Avenue this
month.

Through the process of negotiation, Woodell was able to purchase
SuddenLink TV cable for the village. He had the idea that if the
village owned the cable system, they could maintain it better
and faster than people who were many miles away. Customer
complaints were heard at nearly every council session. Today,
thanks to Woodell’s efforts, Woodsfield owns and operates its
own cable company.

Several business professionals, with Woodell’s encouragement,
have installed new sidewalks. The decorative walk featuring red
brick inlays was recently completed in front of the municipal
building. Utility lines under the walks have been replaced and
Victorian lamps are replacing street
Read more in the Nov. 26 Beacon

After all is said and done, the wife has said it and the husband
has done it.

The world, in its concern with left and right, seems to have
forgotten there is also an above and below.

Did you know we have dinosaurs running around and flying around
everywhere? It’s true according to a couple of folks I heard on
TV the other night. They have evolved from the dinosaurs and we
now call them birds. The birds were once the dinosaurs. To be
honest I’m not a strict believer in evolution but I can’t see
how some of the beautiful birds were once an ugly old dinosaur.

Now as I think I understood them, the closest thing we have to a
dinosaur is the chicken. They claim the chicken carries the DNA
of a dinosaur. If somehow this could be brought back to life,
chickens would grow a tail.

Come to think of it, if there were no feathers on a chicken it
wouldn’t be very pretty and maybe would resemble a small
dinosaur. Maybe they’re right. I don’t know and really do not
care.

I like to eat chicken; I never thought I was eating a present
day dinosaur. The next time I chomp down on a cooked chicken
leg, I like the dark meat, I’ll never give it a thought. I’ll
just enjoy it. I’m kinda surprised they don’t have a TV
commercial “Save the Dinosaur; Don’t Eat Chicken.” Then I
wonder, wouldn’t a turkey be a larger dinosaur? Think about it
around the table on Thanksgiving. Who knows?

We had quite a large Hunter Education class this year.
Seventy-seven signed up. As I write, I do not know how many will
score 80 or better on the test. It’s this evening.

One thing I do know. We need someone to take over the leadership
in teaching this Hunter Education program. I know a number of
folks in the county who could do an excellent job with a little
extra effort and care about the future of the sport of hunting.
It’s really an interesting job.

Last week I mentioned, I think, football season is over. We can
start the basketball season, soon to get underway.

I then got to thinking. When I was in school we had only one
varsity sport, basketball. Even at that, we were not very good,
but we did have fun. Only one sport, how did we ever make it? OK
the FFA did have a softball team that played a few other FFA
Chapters but that was it. What about today?

High schools can offer a number of varsity sports. I have a book
that contains information about all high schools in the state
and the sports offered.

I opened it the other day at random and this is an example. One
school with an enrollment of 205 students offered 14 varsity
sports they could participate in. Another school with 910
students offered 19 varsity sports. A school with the proper
facilities could offer 24 approved sports programs. Twelve each
for boys and girls. Again I ask, how did we get along back then
without all these sports? I guess maybe pitching you know what
out of the barn, milking the cows, chores every evening and all
of the other things we did to keep busy made up for the lack of
sports available. We even refer to them as the “good old days”,
ha.

Go Bucks! Well,
OhioState has made it to the
Rose Bowl. It will give me something to watch on New Year’s day.
I just hope they don’t come up smelling like a dead rose.

Then there’s that team up north. Seven out of eight ain’t bad.
Just so it becomes that on Saturday. It’s still kind of nuts to
be such a fan. I recently started picking teams I want to lose.
I picked four the first week, three the second week and one the
third week. So far I’m 100 percent with my picks. I hope it
lasts one more week. What’s wrong with picking a loser?

Last year I watched the Rose Parade on RFD. No commercials. Was
that ever an enjoyable experience. I hope they do the same thing
again this year. This doesn’t happen very often. I read a letter
from a football fan claiming at one time there were nine minutes
of advertising and six minutes of football. No wonder it takes
three hours to play 48 minutes.

Couple of notes to the wise: First, start going to church to get
ready for Christmas. Second, do not eat too much dinosaur this
Thanksgiving.

Bill Parks of Bill Parks’ General Store was welcomed into the
Monroe County Chamber of Commerce Nov. 12. The store has been in
the Parks family since 1938 and carries groceries, hardware,
candies, gasoline and much more. Shown, from left, are Bill
Parks, Ruth Workman and Tom Scott, representing the Monroe
County Chamber of Commerce.
Photo by Martha Ackerman

by Martha Ackerman
Staff Writer

Only nine years after the Civil War and President Lincoln’s
assassination, a little general store came into existence in a
rural area of
MonroeCounty. Parks’ General Store was built in
1874 by Jacob Kochert shortly after her married Elizabeth Knox.
It has served as a general store from that time on and is now
operated by Bill Parks. It has been in the Parks family since
1938.

According to Bill Parks, the Kocherts built a grist mill
directly across the road from the store. It was in operation
from 1875 to 1918. The mill is still in Marr and 80 percent of
the outside has been restored. Parks uses the inside for
storage.

In 1899 W.G. (Win) Linda-mood married Jacob Kochert’s daughter
Anna and they assumed ownership of the store a few years later.
They operated the store until 1920 when Harold, Herbert and
Forrest Conner purchased the business. The Conner brothers sold
the store to Reason (Reese) W. Parks and his wife Lavina in
1938. Mr. Parks died of cancer in 1942 at the age of 55, leaving
his wife, and children. Two sons, Ralph and Harry, were serving
in the military during World War II. The youngest son, 18
year-old Walter entered the U.S Marine Corps shortly after his
father’s passing. The oldest daughter Mary had married and left
home leaving Lavina and her two younger daughters Mar-tyne and
Shirley to keep the store operating until after the war.

When Lavina’s sons re-turned home from the military, they helped
her in the store. Lavina passed away in 1979.

Walter Parks married Mary Thomas in 1950 and operated the store
with the help of their six children, Julie, Mark, Marla, Bill,
Lisa and Kent. Walter died in 2000 at the age of 75. Mary
continued to operate the store until September 2007 at the age
of 89 when her health forced her to give up the running of the
business.

At that time Mary’s middle son William “Bill” took over the
store and since that time has made several improvements, but
nothing has been changed from its original appearance. The
inside of the store remains the same with the oak and walnut
counters, the large ornate spool cabinet, the Putnam Dye case
and the bins that once stored bulk food.

Mail sorting shelves were installed when a post office was
established in the store in 1880. It was discontinued as a post
office in 1961. Bill uses the sorting shelves in a corner of the
store that serves as his office.

You certainly step back in time when you enter the country
store. You’ll find everything from a pitchfork and assorted
tools, to cereal, canned foods and other staples. The store also
sells gasoline, hardware and feed ... and delicious chocolates
in season. “I sell about 1,000 pounds of chocolate each holiday
season,” said Parks. That includes chocolate covered
marshmallows and peanut clusters in several filled flavors.
Yummm!

Being an enterprising young man, after graduating from Swiss
Hills’ mechanic program, Bill opened his garage in 1978. He
moved his mechanic operation on the

GERTRUDE K. ALLEMAN Gertrude “Gertie” Katheran Holtsclaw Alleman, 89, of
the MonroeCountyCareCenter,
Woodsfield, died Nov. 19, 2009 at the center. She was born Dec.
29, 1919 at Benwood, a daughter of the late James and Margaret
Ann “Annie” Craig Holtsclaw.

She was a homemaker and was a member of the Moffett-FletcherUnitedMethodist
Church
near Woodsfield.

Surviving are three sisters-in-law, Florence Alleman of Sardis,
Elizabeth Alleman of Woodsfield, Wilma Alleman of Woodsfield;
several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her
husband, Raymond Edward Alleman on May 13, 1974; two brothers,
Wilbur and Ralph Holtsclaw; three sisters, Velma Holtsclaw,
Ethel Pyles and Opal Claus

Friends were received Nov. 22 at Watters Funeral Home,
Woodsfield, where funeral services were held Nov. 23. Burial
followed in OaklawnCemetery,
Woodsfield.

She was a homemaker and was the former owner of D&M Ceramics
near Lewisville;
a member of Woodsfield Church of Christ; a 50 year member of the
Order of Eastern Star #268, Woodsfield, where she served as a
former Past Matron; a charter member of the Woodsfield Emergency
Squad and a member of the Lewis-ville Volunteer Fire Dept.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her
husband, Mansel C. Hines on Oct. 21, 1991; and two brothers,
Donald and Earnest Ridley.

Friends were received Nov. 21 at Watters Funeral Home, where
funeral services were held Nov. 21. Burial will be held at the
convenience of the family.

Eastern Star services were held Nov. 21 at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Monroe County Humane
Society, 41383
Stonehouse Rd., Woodsfield, OH43793.

Online condolences may be expressed at
www.wattersfuneralhome.com

CLARENCE
HENTHORN Clarence “Tiny” Henthorn, 83, Woodsfield, died Nov. 18,
2009, at
BarnesvilleHospital. He was born Aug.
4, 1926 in MonroeCounty, a son of the late
Clarence Dewey Henthorn and Ruth Pearl Nalley Henthorn Vansant.

He retired from Ormet Corp. in 1988, was a Navy veteran of WWII,
a member of the
Church
of Christ
and a member of the VFW Post 5303. He was a former supervisor of
the JTPA, original member of the Woodsfield E-Squad, former
Woodsfield city councilman and part-time deputy sheriff. He also
helped organize the first Pee Wee and Little League football
teams in Woodsfield and helped start
WoodsfieldHigh School girls
basketball.

Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Mary Giesey Henthorn of
Woodsfield; two sons, Mark (Cindy) Henthorn of Woods-field,
Scott (Amy) Henthorn of Lewisville; a daughter, Sharon (Gary)
Keevert, Woodsfield; a sister, Doris Ady of Woodsfield; nine
grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; four nieces and a nephew.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two
brothers, William Henthorn, Luther Smith; and a sister, Violet
McConnell King.

Friends were received Nov. 20 at Bauer-Turner Funeral Home,
Woodsfield, where funeral services were held Nov. 21, with Max
Winland officiating. Burial was in
FairviewCemetery, Woods-field.
Military service was conducted by the Belmont Veterans Council.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.bauerturner.com.

ETHEL
A. MORRISON
Ethel Alma Christy Morrison, 89, Second St., Marietta, died Nov. 18,
2009, after a lengthy illness. She was born in Watertown, a daughter of Henry E. and Mary C.
Thoma Christy.

She was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School. She was a member
of St. Mary Catholic Church and the Catholic Women’s Club.

Before she became ill, she worked tirelessly to provide a
nurturing environment for her family. She and Charlie reared
three children. In addition, she also reared Jason, her oldest
grandson, who remained at her home for 30 years until she was
unable to care for him. She was, and continues to be, a role
model for her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Melville
Morrison on Feb. 28, 1997, whom she married on Feb. 20, 1941;
and a daughter, Shirley M. Morrison Crock on Oct. 31, 1989.

Friends were received Nov. 20 at Marietta Chapel of Cawley &
Peoples Funeral Home. There was a vigil service Nov. 20.

Funeral Liturgy with Mass was held Nov. 21 at St. Mary Catholic
Church, with Rev. Msgr. John Michael Campbell as celebrant.
Burial was at EastLawnMemorial
Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary’s School
Foundation, 506
Fourth St., Marietta, OH45750.

Condolences may be expressed at www.cawleyandpeoples.com.

RAYMOND K. WEBERRaymond K. Weber, 92, Woodsfield, died Nov. 14, 2009 at BarnesvilleHospital.
He was born Feb. 6, 1917 in
MonroeCounty, a son of the late
Charles and Matilda Fisher Weber.

He was a printer by trade. He was a member and former Elder of
the Woodsfield Presbyterian Church, Chapter member of the
Mountaineer CB Radio Club, longtime member of Center and Pomona
Grange, 4-H Advisor for 29 years, former member of the Monroe
County Fair Board, Barnesville Area Coin Club and the O R & W
Club.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his
wife, Mary E. Greenbank Weber on Dec. 13, 2005; two brothers,
Philip and Leighton Weber; three sisters, Edith and Clara Weber
and Viola Henning.

Friends were received Nov. 18 until time of funeral services at
Bauer-Turner Funeral Home, Woodsfield, with Rev. Susan Lehosky
officiating. Burial was in OaklawnCemetery, Woodsfield.

JEFFREY
D. WOODELLJeffrey D. Woodell, 51, 284
Holiday Ave., Woodsfield, died Nov. 20, 2009 at his
home. He was born Oct. 10, 1958 at Barnesville, a son of Carolyn
Edington Gray, Woodsfield.

Jeff’s love of politics led him to accept the position as the
first Village Administrator of Woodsfield. He also operated many
businesses, volunteered endless hours to civic groups and the
youth of MonroeCounty.
He was the founder and first president of the Sideliners
football boosters, Monroe
County
youth soccer, River Youth Football and Goalkeepers Soccer
Boosters.

He started the high school soccer program at
MonroeCentralHigh
School, Woodsfield, and was their
first head coach. He was a member of the Monroe County Chamber
of Commerce, Jaycees, Woodsfield Kiwanis Club, Monroe County
CIC, Woodsfield Village Council and was an avid Ohio
State
fan.

In addition to his mother, surviving are his wife of 24 years,
Jenny Woodell; two sons, Jeffrey Woodell, Timothy Woodell, both
of Woodsfield; Ashley and Reagan Woodell, both of the home; a
sister, Teresa Gray of St. Clairsville; a brother, Kevin Gray of
Woodsfield; an aunt, Nancy Hastings of Woodsfield.

Friends were received Nov. 23 at Watters Funeral Home,
Woodsfield, where funeral services will be held Nov. 24, with
Pastor Greg Fish officiating. Burial will be held at the
convenience of the family.